Metro West welcomed but won’t solve deficit

Crowded Western Sydney train.

Media release, 16 November, 2016

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has commended the NSW Government for its announcement of the Metro West rail line, but has stressed that it must not come at the expense of further investment in a Western Sydney transport network.

WSROC President Cr Stephen Bali said “All investment in public transport should be welcomed, however the announcement of the Metro West seems premature given the Government has not yet completed its investigation into the rail needs of Western Sydney.”

“WSROC and its councils have consistently called for a stronger focus on improving rail connectivity within the region. Our position has been, and continues to be, that we need more stations, we need more rail lines, and not just to support an airport,” he said.

“There is no doubt that the Metro West is worthy of Government attention, but despite its name it will do little to connect Western Sydney residents with Western Sydney jobs,” said Cr Bali.

“Parramatta is the West’s most significant economic hub, but it is merely a gateway to Greater Western Sydney; a region ten times the size of the East.

“If Western Sydney is to support 1 million extra people by 2031, we must do everything we can to achieve the Government’s target of 300,000 jobs for Western Sydney. For this to happen we need rail links that improve connectivity within the region, building local industries and local economies in the West,” he said

“The Metro West alone will not do this. It needs to be complemented with other Western Sydney rail links including a north-south rail link which was put forward as an option in the Joint Western Sydney Rail Needs Study,” said Cr Bali.

“We are pleased that the Government is in a strong financial position to consider more major infrastructure projects, but suggest that it should focus on addressing decades of inequity in the provision of public transport for Western Sydney,” he said

“We are aware that parties within the private sector are recommending that this project could be delivered through a public-private partnership with little burden on the taxpayers of NSW.

“WSROC would strongly encourage this arrangement as it would ensure the Government can deliver more public transport for Western Sydney’s growing population and major economic hubs,” said Cr Bali.